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West Long Branch, NJ - Monmouth defeated Wagner 3-1 to complete a doubleheader sweep in Northeast Conference (NEC) action at the MU Baseball Field.

The Hawks improve to 19-12 and 11-3 in the NEC with today's doubleheader sweep while the Seahawks fall to 12-18 and 5-5 in the league.

Junior Ian Miller (Downingtown, PA / Bishop Shanahan) was outstanding in defeat, going 3-for-4 with a run and his team-leading 13th multi-hit game to lead the Green & White's seven-hit attack.

MU opened up the scoring with a two-out run in the bottom of the first inning. Chris Perret and Owen Stewart each singled, before Joe Bamford drew a walk. Jon Guida then opened the scoring with an infield single to third, plating Perret. However, the damage could have been worse as junior LHP Matt Morris (Matawan, NJ / St. John Vianney) struck out Craig Sweeney on three pitches.

Wagner tied the game up at 1-1 in the top of the third inning with a two-out rally of its own. Miller singled to left field off a 3-2 offering, before easily scoring on Chris Smith's (Jr., Tampa, FL / Freedom / Ellsworth CC (IA)) RBI double down the left field line.

Monmouth immediately responded with an unearned run in the bottom part of the frame. Bamford reached via a two-base throwing error. Guida took advantage of the Seahawk miscue on the ensuing play, lacing a double over Miller's head in center to reclaim the lead for the Hawks at 2-1.

After both teams were set down without incident in the fourth inning, the Green & White appeared poised to tie the game in the top of the fifth. Graduate student Chase Gray (Toms River, NJ / Toms River South / Seton Hall) led off with a single through the right side. Following a force out, Miller notched his second hit of the game. Unfortunately, MU starter RHP T.J. Hunt evaded trouble with a strikeout, before inducing an inning-ending ground out.

In the bottom part of the frame, Monmouth added an insurance runs thanks to a pair of Wagner miscues. Perret reached via an error before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a line out, Perret scored on an error to push the lead out to 3-1.

After failing to trim the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Seahawks made things interesting in their last trip to the plate with a two-out rally. Miller delivered his third hit of the game, before Smith drew a full-count walk. Sophomore Nick Dini (Monroe Township, NJ / Monroe Township) then saw two quick strikes, before working the count full. However, Hawk reliever Jeff Paglione ended the game by striking out Dini on a nasty offering.

Morris (2-2) was the tough-luck losing pitcher, allowing three runs, just one earned, on seven hits and a pair of walks over 6.0 solid innings.

Hunt (3-1) earned the win, striking out two while yielding one run on six hits and no walks over 6.0 innings. Paglione pitched the seventh for his first save of the season.

Guida paced Monmouth's seven-hit attack, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.

The teams will conclude their four-game series tomorrow with a 12:00 pm doubleheader.

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Photography by Dave Saffran